Powerchair Football (or Soccer in North America) was invented in 1982 by a group of Vancouver athletes wanting to play a competitive team sport. Since then, the popularity of powerchair football (PCF) has mushroomed worldwide. Canada, England, France, Denmark, Japan and the United States currently field teams and host international tournaments. PCF officials are seeking to have this sport included in future Paralympics.

Click Here for Power Soccer Registration

PCF teams – of 4 players each – play on a basketball-sized court using an oversized soccer ball. The wheelchairs are fitted with a steel or plastic foot-guard that protects the players’ feet & shins and is used to hit and propel the ball. The sport is open to anyone with physical disabilities who can operate a power wheelchair competently. Different tournaments have set eight & ten years as the minimum age.

For the first time in history, PCF permits these individuals to play a fun, safe and fast-paced competitive team sport. PCF is also a very exciting spectator sport, as experienced players can display some incredible ball-handling and chair-maneuvering skills. The close-quarters battles for ball possession can be ferocious and riveting to watch.

In 2004, Penticton was the first place in B.C. to host a PCF tournament. Called B.C. Storm, the tournament is the only one that invites individual players and teams with less than four players. By mixing up the teams, B.C. Storm encourages new players and teams to experience competitive-level play. Over the past four years, participation has grown from 16 to 36 players.

In 2007, after only four years of existence, our Okanagan Thunderchairs (OTC) went undefeated in the round-robin phase of the international Mountain Madness Tournament in Burnaby. Our excellent effort surprised teams from Vancouver, North Shore, Surrey, Quebec & the State of Washington. This amazing feat stemmed from our players’ skill & commitment, our coaches’ enthusiasm & dedication and the financial & organizational support of People In Motion.

Currently, OTC players and coaches hail from Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon. The team welcomes new players from Kamloops, Revelstoke, and anywhere else in the Okanagan Valley between Osoyoos in the South and Prince George in the north. Six of our coaches & parents are trained referees under the new international rules and have officiated at tournaments.

Players, parents & coaches all relish the joyful camaraderie of the OTC team. Players also have opportunities to make new friends, to socialize & verbalize more, to travel to tournaments in far-away lands, to contribute to a dynamic community endeavour, to feel the heady thrill of team strategy in physical competition and to witness inspiring behaviour & character from other physically-challenged people.

Finally, parents see a team sport that their child can participate in, enjoy & even excel at, reaping the potential player benefits listed above. Positive family spin-offs can be the players’ improved mood, social skills & goal-setting and their increased confidence, alertness & feelings of personal control.

One parent emphasized how sharing problems & information with other families of children or adults with disabilities helped them to feel less ‘alone’ and to discover new ways of overcoming common challenges.

PCF is a win-win proposition that has elevated participating families’ quality of life.

People In Motion’s Wheelchair Basketball program runs as an active organized program and league, practices are held once weekly in Kelowna, and team players often travel to provincial and national tournaments each year. The program’s players come from all over the Okanagan to enjoy this fast-paced and exciting sport.

To register for Wheelchair Basketball Click Here

People In Motion welcomes adults and youth to try out this sport, we have adult sport wheelchairs and youth sport wheelchairs (8 youth) to get you started. Please feel free to contact our office and schedule a meet and greet with our players who are a great bunch of athletes, you’ll be glad you did…

The OK Thunder Basketball Team typically travels up to 3 out-of-town tournaments in

The OK Thunder Basketball program hosted several  “Kelowna Jamborees”, often alternating with the Kamloops team. The events have over 50 participants and athletes who come from all over British Columbia and Alberta and Washington State.

wheelchair basketball

Wheelchair Curling first appeared in Canada in 2002. At the most recent Canadian championship, wheelchair curling teams hailed from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

People In Motion’s contact person for Wheelchair Curling is Gerry Austgarden. In 2006, the Canadian team, of which Gerry was a member, brought home the gold medal from the IX Paralympic Winter Games, held in Torino, Italy. Wheelchair Curling – Team Canada

In this relatively new sport, the thrower positions his wheelchair on the ice behind the hog line. He then uses a delivery stick to slide his rock towards the house. There is no sweeping in the wheelchair game.

If a Curling Club is accessible for wheelchair users a person or a team of wheelchair users can very easily play in any of the leagues the curling club offers.

Wheelchair Curling Contacts:

Gerry Austgarden
Ph: 768.0751
Email: gerry.austgarden@raymondjames.ca

People In Motion Office
#23-1720 Ethel Street.
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2Y7
Ph: 250.861-3302
Email: info@pimbc.ca

PIM membership fee is only $10/year

Let’s Go Fishing!

Access to Angling’s inaugural launch of the program began in the Spring of 2022.  We have some fantastic volunteers lined up, along with a great location at Agur Lake Accessible Camp near Summerland.  Individuals and their families who register will be responsible for getting to and from Agur Lake.  We will have some snacks, hot dogs, marshmallows for roasting and, of course, all of the fishing gear needed to “Go Fish.”  Please use the registration button to pre-register and for further details.

Did you know that the cost of a fishing license in BC for individuals with a disability is only $1.00?  Check out the requirements for purchasing a fishing license here.  Fishing License in BC

Fishing is Accessible

Fishing is one of the most accessible outdoor sports and one that nearly anyone – regardless of age, fitness, and income level – will enjoy. Despite being one of the most popular recreational activities in the world, with the number of participants growing every year, very few people seem to realize that fishing is an enjoyable pastime and contributes to a person’s mental and physical well-being. And the best part is that many of these benefits are experienced while engaged in the activity and endures long after the fishing trip has ended. So, if you’re still on the fence about giving fishing a try, here are some of the best reasons why fishing is good for you.

Fishing Helps to Relieve Stress

One of the reasons why many anglers love fishing is because it provides them with a sense of ’freedom’ and a way to escape from the pressures and decisions at work and even at home. When life piles up and becomes too much to take, fishing can provide a much-needed weekend away from it all, where you can recharge, unwind, and come back rejuvenated and energized, ready to take on the world and all its troubles.

Sense of Fulfillment

Like any other sport, fishing can be challenging, and overcoming this challenge allows you to achieve something. As any expert would tell you, any form of accomplishment fulfills the basic human desire for purpose and adds value to your life, which in turn makes you a happier person overall.

Enjoy the Outdoors

When you go fishing, it is impossible not to feel connected to nature. The warm sun on your skin, the cold water, and the smell of fresh air are things that all of us need. While out there on the lake, you’ll be able to take in the scenic views of the surrounding mountains and listen to the stillness all around you. The gorgeous sights and rhythmical sounds of birds and insects chirping in the distance will certainly make you feel much closer to Mother Nature.

Explore Areas You’ve Never Visited

If you’re going to be an angler, you’re going to have to do some exploring to find the best fishing spots in and around your area. Maybe there’s that section of the lake that you never paddled to before. Maybe there’s a small pond right across town which you’ve never visited. Unless you’re quite content with that same fishing spot you’ve been visiting for the last ten years or so; then you’ll have to pack your kayak and fishing gear and embark on a new fishing adventure.

Fish Makes for a Good, Healthy Dinner

Not everyone brings home their catch, especially if you’re into catch-and-release fishing. But for those who do, that big fatty trout that you landed will definitely make for a great and healthy dinner. Fish is one of the healthiest meats available, filled with a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of a heart attack.

Access to Angling Kelowna
Power Wheelchair Soccer

Powerchair Football (or Soccer in North America) was invented in 1982 by a group of Vancouver athletes wanting to play a competitive team sport. Since then, the popularity of powerchair football (PCF) has mushroomed worldwide. Canada, England, France, Denmark, Japan and the United States currently field teams and host international tournaments. PCF officials are seeking to have this sport included in future Paralympics.

Click Here for Power Soccer Registration

PCF teams – of 4 players each – play on a basketball-sized court using an oversized soccer ball. The wheelchairs are fitted with a steel or plastic foot-guard that protects the players’ feet & shins and is used to hit and propel the ball. The sport is open to anyone with physical disabilities who can operate a power wheelchair competently. Different tournaments have set eight & ten years as the minimum age.

For the first time in history, PCF permits these individuals to play a fun, safe and fast-paced competitive team sport. PCF is also a very exciting spectator sport, as experienced players can display some incredible ball-handling and chair-maneuvering skills. The close-quarters battles for ball possession can be ferocious and riveting to watch.

In 2004, Penticton was the first place in B.C. to host a PCF tournament. Called B.C. Storm, the tournament is the only one that invites individual players and teams with less than four players. By mixing up the teams, B.C. Storm encourages new players and teams to experience competitive-level play. Over the past four years, participation has grown from 16 to 36 players.

In 2007, after only four years of existence, our Okanagan Thunderchairs (OTC) went undefeated in the round-robin phase of the international Mountain Madness Tournament in Burnaby. Our excellent effort surprised teams from Vancouver, North Shore, Surrey, Quebec & the State of Washington. This amazing feat stemmed from our players’ skill & commitment, our coaches’ enthusiasm & dedication and the financial & organizational support of People In Motion.

Currently, OTC players and coaches hail from Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon. The team welcomes new players from Kamloops, Revelstoke, and anywhere else in the Okanagan Valley between Osoyoos in the South and Prince George in the north. Six of our coaches & parents are trained referees under the new international rules and have officiated at tournaments.

Players, parents & coaches all relish the joyful camaraderie of the OTC team. Players also have opportunities to make new friends, to socialize & verbalize more, to travel to tournaments in far-away lands, to contribute to a dynamic community endeavour, to feel the heady thrill of team strategy in physical competition and to witness inspiring behaviour & character from other physically-challenged people.

Finally, parents see a team sport that their child can participate in, enjoy & even excel at, reaping the potential player benefits listed above. Positive family spin-offs can be the players’ improved mood, social skills & goal-setting and their increased confidence, alertness & feelings of personal control.

One parent emphasized how sharing problems & information with other families of children or adults with disabilities helped them to feel less ‘alone’ and to discover new ways of overcoming common challenges.

PCF is a win-win proposition that has elevated participating families’ quality of life.

Wheelchair Basketball

People In Motion’s Wheelchair Basketball program runs as an active organized program and league, practices are held once weekly in Kelowna, and team players often travel to provincial and national tournaments each year. The program’s players come from all over the Okanagan to enjoy this fast-paced and exciting sport.

To register for Wheelchair Basketball Click Here

People In Motion welcomes adults and youth to try out this sport, we have adult sport wheelchairs and youth sport wheelchairs (8 youth) to get you started. Please feel free to contact our office and schedule a meet and greet with our players who are a great bunch of athletes, you’ll be glad you did…

The OK Thunder Basketball Team typically travels up to 3 out-of-town tournaments in

The OK Thunder Basketball program hosted several  “Kelowna Jamborees”, often alternating with the Kamloops team. The events have over 50 participants and athletes who come from all over British Columbia and Alberta and Washington State.

wheelchair basketball
Wheelchair Curling

Wheelchair Curling first appeared in Canada in 2002. At the most recent Canadian championship, wheelchair curling teams hailed from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

People In Motion’s contact person for Wheelchair Curling is Gerry Austgarden. In 2006, the Canadian team, of which Gerry was a member, brought home the gold medal from the IX Paralympic Winter Games, held in Torino, Italy. Wheelchair Curling – Team Canada

In this relatively new sport, the thrower positions his wheelchair on the ice behind the hog line. He then uses a delivery stick to slide his rock towards the house. There is no sweeping in the wheelchair game.

If a Curling Club is accessible for wheelchair users a person or a team of wheelchair users can very easily play in any of the leagues the curling club offers.

Wheelchair Curling Contacts:

Gerry Austgarden
Ph: 768.0751
Email: gerry.austgarden@raymondjames.ca

People In Motion Office
#23-1720 Ethel Street.
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2Y7
Ph: 250.861-3302
Email: info@pimbc.ca

PIM membership fee is only $10/year

Access to Angling

Let’s Go Fishing!

Access to Angling’s inaugural launch of the program began in the Spring of 2022.  We have some fantastic volunteers lined up, along with a great location at Agur Lake Accessible Camp near Summerland.  Individuals and their families who register will be responsible for getting to and from Agur Lake.  We will have some snacks, hot dogs, marshmallows for roasting and, of course, all of the fishing gear needed to “Go Fish.”  Please use the registration button to pre-register and for further details.

Did you know that the cost of a fishing license in BC for individuals with a disability is only $1.00?  Check out the requirements for purchasing a fishing license here.  Fishing License in BC

Fishing is Accessible

Fishing is one of the most accessible outdoor sports and one that nearly anyone – regardless of age, fitness, and income level – will enjoy. Despite being one of the most popular recreational activities in the world, with the number of participants growing every year, very few people seem to realize that fishing is an enjoyable pastime and contributes to a person’s mental and physical well-being. And the best part is that many of these benefits are experienced while engaged in the activity and endures long after the fishing trip has ended. So, if you’re still on the fence about giving fishing a try, here are some of the best reasons why fishing is good for you.

Fishing Helps to Relieve Stress

One of the reasons why many anglers love fishing is because it provides them with a sense of ’freedom’ and a way to escape from the pressures and decisions at work and even at home. When life piles up and becomes too much to take, fishing can provide a much-needed weekend away from it all, where you can recharge, unwind, and come back rejuvenated and energized, ready to take on the world and all its troubles.

Sense of Fulfillment

Like any other sport, fishing can be challenging, and overcoming this challenge allows you to achieve something. As any expert would tell you, any form of accomplishment fulfills the basic human desire for purpose and adds value to your life, which in turn makes you a happier person overall.

Enjoy the Outdoors

When you go fishing, it is impossible not to feel connected to nature. The warm sun on your skin, the cold water, and the smell of fresh air are things that all of us need. While out there on the lake, you’ll be able to take in the scenic views of the surrounding mountains and listen to the stillness all around you. The gorgeous sights and rhythmical sounds of birds and insects chirping in the distance will certainly make you feel much closer to Mother Nature.

Explore Areas You’ve Never Visited

If you’re going to be an angler, you’re going to have to do some exploring to find the best fishing spots in and around your area. Maybe there’s that section of the lake that you never paddled to before. Maybe there’s a small pond right across town which you’ve never visited. Unless you’re quite content with that same fishing spot you’ve been visiting for the last ten years or so; then you’ll have to pack your kayak and fishing gear and embark on a new fishing adventure.

Fish Makes for a Good, Healthy Dinner

Not everyone brings home their catch, especially if you’re into catch-and-release fishing. But for those who do, that big fatty trout that you landed will definitely make for a great and healthy dinner. Fish is one of the healthiest meats available, filled with a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of a heart attack.

Access to Angling Kelowna